Browns can't name starting quarterback

Mystery Man: Browns have 4 quarterbacks, but don't have starter yet because of injuries

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published on
Dec. 4, 2013

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) celebrates with wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) after they connected on a 95-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cleveland Browns quarterback Alex Tanney watches from the bench.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Jason Babin (58) during the third quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

BEREA, Ohio — Browns coach Rob Chudzinski has four quarterbacks. He just doesn’t know which one of them will Sunday at New England.

With Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell both recovering from concussions, and two new quarterbacks on the roster, Chudzinski said he’ll wait until later in the week — and maybe up until game time — to pick a starter.

The Browns signed free agent Caleb Hanie, who started four games for Chicago in 2011, on Tuesday and signed Alex Tanney off Dallas’ practice squad last week after Campbell sustained a head injury against Pittsburgh. Chudzkinsi said Hanie and Tanney will split time with the first-team offense in practice on Wednesday.

Hanie, who hasn’t been in the NFL since he was released by Baltimore in August, struggled to describe Cleveland’s dilemma.

“It’s a little, I don’t know what the word would be for it,” Hanie said. “It’s part of this league. It’s a crazy league. One week you’re sitting at home eating Thanksgiving with your family and the next week you could be playing for the Browns.”

Weeden was injured in Sunday’s loss to Jacksonvillle. He passed for a career-high 370 yards and threw three TD passes and two interceptions — both in the final three minutes of the first half. Weeden didn’t complain of any symptoms until after the game when he was diagnosed with the injury.

Chudzinski said a decision on who will start against the Patriots (9-3) could hinge on who has the most practice time.

Tanney has never played a down in a regular-season game. He’s been spending extra time studying Cleveland’s playbook and offensive system and is confident he’ll be ready if called upon to make his first start. Tanney met with injured Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer on Tuesday and discussed what the Patriots defense might do. Hoyer spent three seasons in New England as Tom Brady’s backup.

Tanney backed up Weeden last week, and the Browns had a package of plays ready for him in case he was needed.